Honda & Ohlins in motogp & wsbk

[Cajun]

Honda in the wsbk changed from showa to ohlins middle of season and started getting to the pointy end

Looking at images at the motogp testing, they are testing ohlins front ends as well.

aka
http://www.superbikeplanet.com/image/2009/motogp/valencia/test1/SE5K2228.htm
'Pedrosa's factory Honda RC212 tested Ohlins suspension. Pedrosa has used only Showa since 2003.'

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I guess the idea is can't beat them join them idea, can;'t beat with the showa go the ohlins like the winners are using,

[Tony.OK]

Dovi went to Ohlins quite a few races ago, Dani didn't want to change from Showa mid season.

Dani seems to still do alright on the Showa's if last weekend was anything to go by...................and team mate Dovi was just a mid packer.

How well will Dani go once he gets to grips with the new suspenders though, could be very dangerous indeed.

[Fatjim]

If he grew some balls.

[Tony.OK]

If he grew some balls.

Hahaa yeah, he'll be good as long as he doesn't get passed by anyone else during a race :innocent:

[Biggles08]

Honda in the wsbk changed from showa to honda middle of season and started getting to the pointy end

I'm confused Cajun:innocent: lol

[Cajun]

I'm confused Cajun:innocent: lol

typing error, not multi-tasking very well this morning should be ohlins

[R6_kid]

If he grew some balls.

I think you need to go through puberty first for that to happen.

[lukemillar]

typing error, not multi-tasking very well this morning should be ohlins

And Ten Kate actually changed from WP to Ohlins ;)

[Robert Taylor]

HRC mechanic undergoing training at Ohlins Racing near Stockholm, approximately 2 months ago when I was there

[Robert Taylor]

Dovi went to Ohlins quite a few races ago, Dani didn't want to change from Showa mid season.

Dani seems to still do alright on the Showa's if last weekend was anything to go by...................and team mate Dovi was just a mid packer.

How well will Dani go once he gets to grips with the new suspenders though, could be very dangerous indeed.

Thats actually not fully correct. HRC approached Ohlins before midway through the season and wanted the whole team on Ohlins straight away. Not only that they wanted the really good stuff that Fiat Yamaha are using inclusive of the through rod TTX front forks.
Ohlins racing manager Mats Larsson refused primarily on the grounds that it was impossible to do so straight away because of
1) Sourcing more material
2) This required more manpower
3) Production capacity in the racing department, you just cannot build this stuff in 5 minutes
4) The need for testing and development specific to the HRC bikes.
5) Racetrack support infrastructure
6) The price! And contracts. Fiat Yamaha pays Ohlins 500,000 euros per annum just for support for Rossi alone. Ohlins Sweden in fact do not sponsor anyone as they just dont have to when people are beating on their door.

Ohlins agreed to put one bike on Ohlins customer level stuff for the remainder of the season. ( Davisioso ) He certainly didnt make the best of it and as an interesting adjunct a third party that we know who is close to Davisioso doesnt rate his committment at all.
Interestingly Pedrosa is already posting very very quick times on the new test stuff , it being technology at the same level as Fiat Yamaha. In all fairness at the highest racing levels Showa make really good stuff, but clearly HRC feel that they can go better with the Swedish stuff.
If this is now set in concrete I do not yet know and I guess it is still at a sensitive stage. To that end I dont feel compelled to ask Mats for an update just yet as it may be a little rude and prying.
In return for access to the very best and most advanced technology that Ohlins can supply Ohlins have insisted that Honda Motor Co sign a contract to produce Ohlins shocks for an upcoming range of road bikes. Thats smart!

SOURCE, information released to Ohlins distributors whilst I was there for a distributor conference two months back, and conversations with Mats Larsson.
Note also that WSBK Suzukis have also been testing with Ohlins.

[98tls]

Thats actually not fully correct. HRC approached Ohlins before midway through the season and wanted the whole team on Ohlins straight away. Not only that they wanted the really good stuff that Fiat Yamaha are using inclusive of the through rod TTX front forks.
Ohlins racing manager Mats Larsson refused primarily on the grounds that it was impossible to do so straight away because of
1) Sourcing more material
2) This required more manpower
3) Production capacity in the racing department, you just cannot build this stuff in 5 minutes
4) The need for testing and development specific to the HRC bikes.
5) Racetrack support infrastructure
6) The price! And contracts. Fiat Yamaha pays Ohlins 500,000 euros per annum just for support for Rossi alone. Ohlins Sweden in fact do not sponsor anyone as they just dont have to when people are beating on their door.

Ohlins agreed to put one bike on Ohlins customer level stuff for the remainder of the season. ( Davisioso ) He certainly didnt make the best of it and as an interesting adjunct a third party that we know who is close to Davisioso doesnt rate his committment at all.
Interestingly Pedrosa is already posting very very quick times on the new test stuff , it being technology at the same level as Fiat Yamaha. In all fairness at the highest racing levels Showa make really good stuff, but clearly HRC feel that they can go better with the Swedish stuff.
If this is now set in concrete I do not yet know and I guess it is still at a sensitive stage. To that end I dont feel compelled to ask Mats for an update just yet as it may be a little rude and prying.
In return for access to the very best and most advanced technology that Ohlins can supply Ohlins have insisted that Honda Motor Co sign a contract to produce Ohlins shocks for an upcoming range of road bikes. Thats smart!

SOURCE, information released to Ohlins distributors whilst I was there for a distributor conference two months back, and conversations with Mats Larsson.
Note also that WSBK Suzukis have also been testing with Ohlins. Came across this today fwiw.http://www.tlzone.net/forums/press-room/116609-triumph-hlins-announce-partnership.html

[Robert Taylor]

Came across this today fwiw.http://www.tlzone.net/forums/press-room/116609-triumph-hlins-announce-partnership.html

Thats correct, Ohlins management said that they were in negotiations with Triumph and some other manufacturers.

[KS34]

Note also that WSBK Suzukis have also been testing with Ohlins.

Dear Lord I hope it has the desired effect! I'm running out of love and excuses:sweatdrop

[wharfy]

Came across this today fwiw.http://www.tlzone.net/forums/press-room/116609-triumph-hlins-announce-partnership.html

Cool looking bike !!!

[Robert Taylor]

Dear Lord I hope it has the desired effect! I'm running out of love and excuses:sweatdrop

Leon Haslam, Suzuki. 4th in testing time sheets at Portimao.

[Cleve]

Thats actually not fully correct. HRC approached Ohlins before midway through the season and ....

Thanks for all that Robert. As always a fascinating insight into details we normally would not have access to. Appreciate it.

[gav]

So who has replaced Pete Benson as Dovi's mechanic then? And has Pete joined up with another team?